ACES Crocodile Chronicles

Submitted by Cherie Chenot-Rose, ACES Biologist

Croc Crusaders
You’re never too young to rescue crocodiles as young Alexis learned when he assisted ACES (American Crocodile Education Sanctuary) in the rescue and re-release of a four month old baby crocodile named “Larry” that he helped save. Baby crocs up to a year old are called “hatchlings,” explained Cherie Chenot-Rose, Biologist, as she and Animal Behaviorist Vince Rose informed Alexis about these threatened and protected modern day dinosaurs.

When "Larry" was first confiscated from someone who was trying to illegally sell him, the ACES team took the opportunity to teach neighborhood children about the endangered croc.

Larry was malnourished and dehydrated.

In poor health it was uncertain if the hatchling would survive.

After much nurturing Larry makes a full recovery and is ready to re-released into the wild.

Vince shows Alexis how to properly release the animal.

On this particular rainy day release on Nov. 19th, Vince decided to show Alexis how to properly handle the baby croc, and let him assist in re-releasing the baby croc he was instrumental in saving. When “Larry” was first rescued he was close to starvation and had to be forced fed twice and given vitamins before the little croc began eating on its own. When a Crocodilian is severely stressed, they will often refuse to eat. Crocs as large as 10 feet in length have been know to actually starve to death when subjected to high stress. This severe stress is usually due to improper husbandry, or care, and handling.

Baby croc Larry was lucky when Alexis properly and promptly contacted ACES and let them do their job. Now, a few months later, Larry is healthy, tagged and swimming free. “What most people do not realize is that less than 1% of the eggs in a crocodile’s nest will hatch and grow to reach a size at which they can reproduce, or sexual maturity,” states Chenot-Rose. Although the exact croc population on Ambergris Caye is currently undetermined, it is a know fact in the scientific community that it is the last stronghold for this keystone species.

ACES in Action
ACES has been busier than ever, with two other successful re-releases last weekend. “Crocoberry”, a 7 ft. 7” problematic male croc was rescued from the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Castleberry in San Pablo where he had taken up residence sunbathing in their canal-side backyard. The Castleberry’s had contacted ACES about their unwanted croc and treated the ACES team to a home cooked meal (complete with Wayne’s birthday cake) and cinnamon rolls to go in appreciation of their assistance.

The following day the team was called upon to relocate “Sampson,” an 8ft male croc, from the DFC area. “This was the most rewarding croc rescue so far,” stated Vince, “due to the tremendous amount of support and assistance from the DFC community.” Sampson’s rescue took 5 hours as he was extremely crafty at eluding croc wrangler Vince, who fearlessly crawled under houses in waist-deep waters in the dark. Finally lassoing Sampson, Vince found the croc to be a tagged ACES croc, proving that Sampson is a returning, problematic croc. Sampson was re-released for his final time. If captured again as a problematic animal, Sampson’s fate may be death. With nowhere else to place him, ACES and the Belize Forest Department cannot take the chance of him harming more pets or even worse, possibly a child.

This neighbor was happy to have "Sampson" removed from underneath his house.

Crocs on Ambergris
ACES is currently conducting a croc population survey and size distribution on Ambergris Caye. “Although no grants have come through yet to fund our efforts we just can’t sit still, so we’re taking the opportunity to collect pertinent data during rescues,” states Cherie. Vince and Cherie have collected scientific data on all of the problem crocs being relocated as well as collecting date while conducting croc “eye-shine” surveys. The animals are humanly captured; data such as size, sex and general health are recorded, then tagged and released. When rescuing crocs, such as the previously tagged one from the DFC area, the information collected will allow ACES to write an extremely needed Crocodile Conservation Plan for the island and present their findings to the Belize Forest Dept.

While still waiting for a reply from various grant applications, including PACT, ACES really wishes they had a hand held GPS to be able to collect accurate sighting and croc locations. Regardless, the croc population study will continue. Vince and Cherie are overwhelmed at the respect and participation of all the local Croc Crusaders on Ambergris Caye and stated that this support is what motivates them to continue to move forward.

For more information about ACES or to report a problem croc please call 666-3871 or
631-6366.

ACES's mission is commitment to conserving Belize's critical habitats and protected species through scientific research and education to prevent further extinction of species Worldwide and to preserve Belize's wildlife for future generations.

Samuel Figueroa competes with the Belize National U20 Selection in Honduras.

San Pedro Resident and Athlete, Samuel Figueroa has joined the ranks of the professionals as a member of the Belize National under 20 Selection Football team. According to president of the Football Federation of Belize, Dr. Chimilio, coaches have been scouting players across the country through the year.

Samuel caught the eye of a scout for the national selection in September when he was competing in an inter-district tournament in Belize City, and was drafted immediately. According to Mr. Chimilio, Mr. Figueroa exhibited much talent and lots of potential. He has since been vigorously practicing with the national selection team, in Belmopan.

The Belize National under 20 Selection; comprised of 18 players will travel to El Salvador for two games in the qualifying games, leading up to the finals to be held in Guatemala in March of 2011. The team will be in Honduras for a week, where they will square off against El Salvador’s Selection on December 1st and Honduras’ selection on December 5th; both games will be played in La Ceiba Honduras.

The San Pedro Sun congratulates Samuel Figueroa and the Belize National under 20 Selection and wish them well in the up coming games.

NEMO holds last meeting to officially Close the Hurricane Season 2010

Hurricane season 2010 started on June 1^st and promised to be one of the most active in recent years. With twenty names listed: Alex, Bonnie, Collin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Sharry, Thomas, Virginie and Walter, hurricane season 2010 was well underway. For us here in Belize, the threats didn’t start until September 14^th.

What started off as an area of interest, I92L out in the Caribbean, moved westward and reached tropical storm status “Tropical Storm Karl” late Tuesday afternoon, September 14^th. At about 7:30am on Wednesday September 15^th, the center of tropical storm Karl made landfall just north of the country of Belize, passing through and going towards Chetumal, Mexico with maximum sustained winds of about 45 mph. The extent of the tropical storm covered the area between San Pedro and Belize City, covering the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts and northward over the Yucatan Peninsula.

This was the first threat that placed the country on high alert and even made landfall.

This was followed shortly after by Matthew and Richard. Hurricane Richard was the 17^th named storm and the 10^th hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season.

Richard developed from an area of low pressure that stalled in the Caribbean Sea in mid-October. It slowly organized and was declared a tropical storm and given the name Richard on October 20^th 2010. At around 5:40pm on October 24^th, Hurricane Richard made landfall about 20 miles south-southeast of Belize City at peak intensity with wind gusts of about 90-100mph.

Through all these threats and in some cases, hurricanes, the National Emergency Management Organization NEMO and its various sub bodies, including the members of the Emergency Operating Committee were instrumental in maintaining order and keeping residents of both islands safe.

Miss Jeromey Timrose Augustine, DEC District Emergency Co-ordinator for Belize Rural south which includes San Pedro and Caye Caulker, will be hosting a final meeting for the hurricane season 2010. The meeting is scheduled for Friday November 26^th at 2:00pm. The purpose of this meeting is to officially close the hurricane season as well as issue Certificates of Appreciation and awards to outstanding chair persons and members of the Emergency Operating Committee EOC that have supported NEMO throughout the Hurricane Season.

The San Pedro Sun congratulates all members of NEMO, the EOC, Public Servants as well as volunteers that worked tirelessly throughout all the threats that we faced in the past months, to keep us all informed and safe

Miracle for Baby Maddy

Madlyn Mishelle Eiley, was born to parents Michael Eiley and Kristy Rodriguez, on September 24th 2010. Her birth brought un-surmounted joy to the lives of both parents. This joy however, was short lived, as they soon became aware of a life threatening medical condition that “Baby Maddy”, as she was known by loved ones, was suffering from.
Baby Maddy was diagnosed with abnormal atrioventricular connection, incomplete mitral valve atresia, arial septal defect, and mild tricuspid regurgitation. This news came as a shock to both parents as well as loved ones. Research into the condition surfaced information that the condition can be remedied, and an initial surgery tallying at around US$80,000.00 would be the initial phase in what could be a long journey towards a healthy “Baby Maddy”. Surgery as well as treatment will require that Baby Maddy, along with guardian, travel abroad. With the current economic situation within the country, parents and loved ones are worried, but hate to think that this precious gift from God, would not be able to live a full life. With faith in God, and a steadfast spirit to save Baby Maddy, friends, family and loved ones have embarked on their journey to raise funds and muster support for this precious angel.

Dad, Michael Eiley

The first in a series of fundraisers was held this past Sunday to help raise funds for Baby Maddy. All involved converged at the Central Park for an all day rally to raise funds to go towards medical as well as travel expenses to seek much needed medical assistance for Madlyn Eiley. Through donations from generous individuals, delicious rice and beans with stew chicken and potato salad was on sale as well as pastries and chicken ceviche. Sports fanatics were on site to participate in the many sporting activities that were held at the Central Park. A Chinese auction and dollar drive took place as well. It was a fun filled day that allowed attendees a chance to mingle, compete, dance to the rhythm of Rompe Raja and share a time of merriment while supporting this very worthy cause. Friends and family of Baby Madlyn Eiley take this opportunity to extend a heart felt “Thank you” to everyone that contributed in any way to make this past fund raiser a success, especially individuals who worked tirelessly in making sure that every detail of the fundraiser was attended to.

Further fundraisers will be held to help what we hope will be “Another Miracle Baby”. Donations can be deposited through Belize Bank account under the name Kristy Rodriguez, number 68022218202. Every bit counts, no donation is too little or too big – let us join together to help Baby Maddy.

Edmund Castro is no longer a Minister of State

- Press Release - Office of the Prime Minister - Belmopan - November 24th, 2010 - The Office of the Prime Minister announces that the Prime Minister has, with immediate effect, removed Hon. Edmund Castro as a Minister of State. The decision was taken following a report made to the Prime Minister about an incident involving Hon. Castro. The Prime Minister was satisfied, after due consideration, that the report was substantially accurate; and that Hon. Castro had engaged in behavior inconsistent with the high standards of propriety to which the Prime Minister seeks to hold his ministers.

Accordingly, in keeping with his personal commitment to the electorate, and the UDP Administration’s general determination to practice good governance, the Prime Minister has acted.The question of a replacement Minister of State in the Ministry of Works, is one to which the Prime Minister will later give his attention.

Edmund Castro

(END)